The perfect starting point for upping your cheese dip game!
This recipe takes me right back to my Air Force days, when we’d gather at a friend’s apartment for cards and snacks. Cheese dips with a Mexican twist were a favorite. This was when I learned to put cheese and salsa on tortilla chips, place a jalapeño ring on each, and bake them in the oven for about 10 minutes to create “na-chips.” That’s what we called them. And we baked them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, I’m sure, because that was before we knew to vary the temperature in an oven for varying results. Oh, the good old days!
You’re going to love how quick, easy, and customizable this delicious dip is. You can change up the seasonings and the tomato/green pepper mix. You can add in just about anything. Really. I’d go with some spicy and some mild additions. Finely chopped or in larger chunks—whatever your preference—green chiles, black olives, jalapeños, green onions, canned corn, pickled peppers, hot sauce, black beans, pinto beans, even bacon or ground meat. Add chopped cilantro or parsley for an added bit of color and nutrition, too.
Consider hosting a dipping party. Set out a stack of small plates, then provide the requisite chips, veggies, and some good crusty bread. Offer up this dip, and your party will be popping in no time. It’s a good bet your friends and family will love this idea, and you can guilt them into hosting the next one!
Is This Velveeta Cheese Dip Healthy?
Velveeta is high in fat and sodium. So, there you have it. If you were really concerned about the nutritional aspect of this dish, you could serve it alongside some multi-grain chips or fresh veggies for dipping. But honestly, I prefer to live a little and just enjoy delicious things in moderation!
What Is Velveeta, And Why Isn’t It Considered Cheese?
The USDA doesn’t consider Velveeta as cheese. Rather, it’s a pasteurized and processed cheese product. It’s not made from curds, as cheese is. Velveeta is fashioned from milk, whey, milk protein concentrate, whey protein concentrate, preservatives, and more. To be considered cheese, a product must have a minimum milk fat content of 50% by weight of solids.
Can I Prep This Ahead?
This dip can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, add a splash of milk and heat over low, stirring constantly. It can also be frozen in the size portions you’re likely to use and then reheated in the microwave until the desired consistency.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dip with corn or multi-grain chips and chopped veggies for dipping. This can be the appetizer course. Then, go with other simple-to-fix recipes. Try Shredded Chicken Tacos for your main dish, along with a refreshing Mango Salsa. Add a drink option like Mexican Martinis, and you have yourself a fiesta!
Ingredients
- 16 ounces Velveeta cheese cubed
- 10 ounces canned diced tomatoes with green chiles undrained
Instructions
- Cube the Velveeta and combine it with the canned diced tomatoes and green chiles in a medium saucepan.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the cheese is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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